Forests and the forestry sector |
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The natural vegetation of Qatar includes a very limited number of plant species because of the arid climate. The country has virtually no forest or woodland. Natural vegetation is predominantly sparse desert scrub, with some tree cover, mainly in the wadis. Acacia species are probably the most common shrub species.
Small patches of mangroves occur around the northern third of Qatar. Avicennia marina plants grow on small areas along the seashore and the lagoons.
There has been no accurate survey of the area of natural woodlands. The total area of natural rangeland is about 3.4 percent of the land. However, the area covered by old and scattered trees and shrubs does not exceed 10 percent of the rangelands.
Tree plantations in Qatar (all mixed, non-industrial and publicly owned) started in 1983. By 2003, the total planted area was over 500 ha.
Because of the climatic constraints, the number of tree species used in afforestation projects is very limited. Planted trees and shrubs are mostly indigenous species that have proved to grow well under the prevailing climatic conditions. The most common species are: Acacia tortilis, Acacia ehrenbergiana, Lycium shawii, Zizyphus spina-christi, Leptadenia pyrotechnica, Tamarix spp. and Avicennia marina.
Because of the scarcity of water, the afforestation projects depend on treated sewage water for irrigation. The sewage water is transported to the plantation sites by tankers, which entails high costs. In addition, intensive grazing threatens the plantations. To control grazing, the planted areas are considered protected areas.
Qatar¿s network of protected areas includes Al- Mashabiah Protected Area, Ras Osheirej Protected Area and Shahanya Park. There are four natural reserves, and a project is under way for setting up three reserves aimed at breeding plants facing depletion. A reserve for gazelles is being planned in Maszhabiya.
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Qatar has no large-scale forest industries. Almost all demand for wood and paper products is met from imports. Verified data is currently unavailable on the presence or significance of non-wood forest products in Qatar.
Last updated: March 2004